UCL: Vinicius Junior Puts Real Madrid In Control Against Liverpool While Foden nails Man City a late win

Liverpool’s Champions League hopes suffered a huge blow as Real Madrid roared to a 3-1 victory in the first leg of their quarter-final tie in Spain.

Jurgen Klopp’s Reds paid the price for an error-strewn display and now face an uphill battle to turn it around at Anfield next week.

Real dominated from the off and deservedly took the lead on 27 minutes when Vinicius Junior brilliantly chested down Toni Kroos’ raking ball over the top and fired a low strike past Alisson.

It was too easy from the visitors’ perspective, but they didn’t learn their lesson and the home team doubled their advantage nine minutes before the break. Another high through ball from Kroos caused Trent Alexander-Arnold to panic and head straight to Marco Asensio, who coolly flicked it over Alisson and hooked in from close range.

The Merseysiders improved markedly after the break and Mohamed Salah grabbed an away goal on 51 minutes when he converted Diogo Jota’s deflected shot in off the bar.

However, Zinedine Zidane’s men restored their two-goal cushion past the hour when Vinicius Junior somehow squeezed a first-time shot from Luka Modric’s pass beyond Alisson.

Liverpool will now hope to rebuild their confidence when they host Aston Villa on Saturday prior to welcoming Madrid to Anfield next Wednesday. Real, of course, have the small matter of a home El Clasico ahead of the crunch second leg on Merseyside.

FODEN NAILS MAN CITY WINNER AFTER TENSE FINALE

Phil Foden’s last-gasp effort gave Manchester City a 2-1 victory over Borussia Dortmund in their Champions League quarter-final first-leg clash.

The England man struck on 90 minutes to give the hosts a priceless lead to take to Germany for the second leg. Kevin de Bruyne had given City a first-half lead on 19 minutes but Marco Reus levelled affairs late on.

Dortmund enjoyed the best of the early exchanges and Ederson was tested in just the eighth minute. Jude Bellingham combined well with Marco Reus before forcing the City keeper into a decent save from distance.

Pep Guardiola’s men started to get a foothold in the game, with Riyad Mahrez looking bright. But it was De Bruyne who broke the deadlock.

Emre Can was dispossessed in midfield, with Phil Foden then turning the Dortmund defence. His cross found Mahrez who expertly picked out the Belgian to slot home from six yards out.

All eyes were on Erling Haaland before kick-off and the Norway starlet created a chance on 14 minutes. He fed Ansgar Knauff but Ederson cleared the danger with Reus lurking.

City continued to probe but had just their second shot via Ilkay Gundogan on 27 minutes. However his effort was blocked but the hosts were then awarded a penalty just one minute later.

Can appeared to kick Rodri in the face as he stooped to head the ball but, on review, the referee reversed his decision. Dortmund had the ball in the net on 38 minutes but it was disallowed by the referee for a foul on Ederson.

VAR was not used and City were lucky as it seemed as though the keeper had fouled Bellingham.